Comments on: Texas military failed Gilbert students on Civil War diorama

By: ladytexian

ladytexian — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:34:22 +0000

Vinny,

You certainly have taken the time to keep up with this dialogue, and obviously time to communicate with others in the group. For now, I do have other work to do.

The particular comments here from persons so close to the situation have been quite interesting.

By: Vinny

Vinny — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:46:09 +0000

My goodness, I wish I had as much time on my hands as you do!

By: ladytexian

ladytexian — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:39:06 +0000

P.S. to All,

Go to Mr. Templar’s other commentary on this subject (on this same web site) along with comments posted: DIORAMAS REFLECT HISTORY, NOT A TRUE REPRESENTATION, July 3rd, 2008, 1:45 pm · 4 Comments · posted by Le Templar.

By: ladytexian

ladytexian — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:28:36 +0000

Mickey, I am sad that you do not see the entire situation. Persons who have been associated with the TMFM for so many years, and those who know how General Scribner would be turning over in his grave at how this museum is being misused and abused cannot sit back and let this crooked scheme follow through. We will not defame the museum. We intend to prevent that from happening. Mr. Micky, do not preach to me! This has nothing to do with “pride or ego”, except for Jeff Hunt’s ego. Even a former Adjutant General is one who is deeply concerned. Perhaps you, “being an outsider”, are not fully aware of what real insiders know. That is “all I will say about that.”

As I said before, the bottom line in this issue is that a CRIME has been committed. The museum community, not only in Texas, is aware and is observing. There will have to be a final resolution.

In response to VINNY,

Richard G. was on the Board. Ask him about his approval of payments.

Mr. Frakes’ integrity is beyond reproach - Hunt’s integrity is very obviously in question for numerous reasons, and perhaps the integrity of others is in question, also.

By: Mickey

Mickey — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:30:39 +0000

As an outsider - whom is not a member of the musuem, or the board, or the foundation, or any other affiliate, accusing party, or otherwise; just someone who has been following the story as well as someone who has visited, & will continue to visit, the TMFM (and yes, I’ve been to see the diorama since it was recently put back on display) - I find it highly distasteful to see so many who are so quick and so ready to defame the museum so far as to say you won’t support any of their events, efforts, etc. Shame on you for letting personal feelings get in the way of you supporting an institution that clearly needs & deserves all the support it can get. Shame on you for allowing the “changing of the guard” blacken your hearts & minds so much that you would allow this museum to suffer for your efforts of attack. The diorama is done well, just as well as all the others. In fact, I found that in some ways it’s more detailed & intricate & the artistry is beautiful… as I’d never seen the original one in person, and for anyone else who hadn’t, you’d never know it was ever altered. All future visitors (and hopefully more positive) will be as happy with it as they are with the rest of them. It tells the story it meant to… and in the end, isn’t it History and the Museum we should be trying to preserve? Not someone’s pride or ego? For the good of the Museum, for the good of all involved (I mean, I can just see your heart monitor rising Ms. Texian) let go of your anger, I beseech you! I can tell you that the only suffering that is going to happen is at the expense of the TMFM itself, and that is truly sad that all of you would allow & encourage this to happen. Move on I say, move on with your lives, support the TMFM, and find positive & worthy causes to spend all of your energy on!

By: Vinny

Vinny — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:07:39 +0000

ladytexian,

Knowing what you are paying for and knowing the actual costs are two different things. I’m just asking if the Board collected reciepts, that’s just common sense. Are you a member of the Board? Because overpaying with non-profit funds is negligent, and that should anger everyone involved.

By: ladytexian

ladytexian — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:06:31 +0000

Good for you, Maria!

Vinny, you are the only one raising questions about the money. Are you a member of the museum? And were you on the Board during the 3 1/2 years?Board members knew what they were paying for - photo updates of the progress were routinely sent by Mr. Frakes.

The foremost issue here is the criminal act of going into the diorama and destructively undoing someone else’s creation - particularly without consulting with Mr. Frakes and without determining ownership of the diorama.

By: MJRTPagerie

MJRTPagerie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Diane,
To comment on your statements. I think that Glen has shown in the past to be more honest than most people. I have know him for at least ten years, and his work, and the work that his student have produced has never been in question. For what ever reason Diane, or should I say “Christina Diane Bocek Hunt” you defending what your husband did maybe right in mind , but you must understand where everyone else is coming from.
This isn’t about people being disgruntled because they didn’t get the job. This is about all the hard work that went into the making of this piece of art. Would you correct a painting that protrays a battle because it was wrong? I think not. Everyone that is concerned about this issue and that are keeping it alive are doing so because we want Jeff to be accountable for actions, whatever they might be. It is more about the kids, and what he did to there faith in our generation.Glen all along while working on this diorama had told them that the museum staff was like their extended family.
If he would have approached Glen back in Oct when he first came on board at the museum about his concerns and what he considerd to be wrong with the diorama they might have been able to work things out, but gong in like Jeff did, and breaking the figures off was wrong. It was evident from the start that Jeff was not happy because of his first reactions uopn the uncrating of the diorama.
I have done more research on the subject of how things were going in the Rio Grande Valley during the Civil War. I even pulled up points of veiw from the Mexican Side. I believe that Glen had it more right in his version. Have you ever travelled down the eastern coast of Mexico. Well I have and the terrain is just like Glenn Frakes had it.
Maria Joseph Rose

By: Vinny

Vinny — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:29:22 +0000

Lady Texian,

Couldn’t all of this be cleared up if Mr Frakes could show everyone the receipts for his purchases? That would end all the noise about the money, wouldn’t it? That removes any idea of impropriety from the issue.

By: ladytexian

ladytexian — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:33:50 +0000

Vinny,

I suggest that if you are that interested, ask someone who was with the museum for many years. You won’t get a straight answer from either Hunt or the command group. Could it now be that records of payments could be hidden, and I am talking about within the past few months (SINCE LAST OCTOBER)? Records can always be traced.

Ask members of the board during the 3 1/2 years of construction of the diorama. At the time the Board of Directors acted properly. Now, they will have no role whatsoever, just micromanaged.

If you think the figures are out of line, why did the Texas Civil War Museum want to pay for shipping back to Arizona for repairs and then to be displayed at their museum in Fort Worth? Certainly they were very aware of cost figures when that offer was made. To help fund the costs of some of the dioramas, Mr. Frakes sought contributions from various organizations, VFW, etc. A number of different citizens and organizations contributed funds to help pay for the Alamo diorama on display at Camp Mabry. If Hunt goes into that as he has mentioned, he will really have a war on his hands.

Mr. Frakes’ dioramas are of the upper classification of quality. Contact the museums where they are displayed (at least 20) - Fort Hood, Intrepid Museum, NY, U.S.M.C. Museum, Navy Memorial Museum and others!

Mr. Know it All, Hunt, is the only person to ever complain about any of Mr. Frakes’ dioramas. As I have mentioned before, I have researched other writings about the Battle of Palmetto Ranch, and all that I have found state there were more killed than the single fatality that Hunt claims! He has fooled the command group at Camp Mabry – it will be interesting to see how it all ends.